Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> <br />Additional land leveling needs were identified on over 6 percent of the <br />area studied. About one half of this work will produce net benefits when <br />evaluated alone. This practice is needed to obtain proper irrigation water <br />management. The study showed that all of the irrigated lands needed and <br />produced positive net benefits when proper irrigated water management is <br />applied. <br /> <br />Local leaders reported that about five percent of the irrigated land <br />should be converted to sprinkler irrigation methods. Over 62 percent of the <br />conversion can be justified using the saving in water and resulting crop <br />production increases. Furrow irrigation efficiency can be improved by using <br />surge irrigation or cablegation. These methods will save water and increase <br />crop production. <br /> <br />Water Use <br /> <br />Water shortages were identified in 21 out of the 23 systems studied. <br />Presently about 45 percent of the irrigated lands receive a full water supply. <br />If all of the improvements found economically feasible were installed, a full <br />water supply could be supplied to over 56 percent of the area. This amount of <br />improvement in the full water supply could be expected throughout the basin <br />when projects are installed. <br /> <br />Appendix C gives a general accounting of water supply and use within the <br />basin. <br /> <br />A Soil Conservation Service computer model is available that can relate a <br />forecast water supply to irrigated crop water requirements in a water balance <br />type analysis. This could be useful in making crop planting decisions. <br /> <br />Detailed land treatment including water conservation (IWM), and/or <br />structural irrigation measures can be developed through programs such as PL 566. <br />Cost sharing may also be available. However, under present USDA policy, irriga- <br />tion projects receive a low funding priority. The chapter on implementation <br />explains USDA and non-USDA programs in more detail. <br /> <br />Future Project Studies <br /> <br />The conclusions drawn in the discussion above are based upon current crop <br />prices, yields, interest rates, construction costs and other current factors. <br />As these factors change overtime the economic viability of project action will <br />change. These factors will not change the fact that the area is water short. <br />Economically feasible actions to conserve or make better use of the available <br />water supply will help all irrigators throughout the basin. <br /> <br />- 24 - <br />